Survey in Salzburg:

“Voting is mandatory, even if you’re skeptical”

Lisa from Elixhausen told "Krone" editor Snobe that "you can make a statement with every single vote. Voting is therefore important".(Bild: Tschepp Markus)

From Möbelstraße in Eugendorf to the ski resort parking lot in Lungau: The "Krone" wanted to hear from the people of Salzburg about their mood and voting attitude hours before casting their ballots.

Fast food restaurant, shopping center, café, discount store, ski resort parking lot and DIY paradise: The "Krone" felt Salzburg's voters' teeth the day before the ballot paper was cast. This causes pain for some - but: the vast majority of the 20 people surveyed stated that they wanted to make use of their democratic right to vote.

I am dissatisfied, so many promises made by politicians are not being kept. Nevertheless, I am certainly not a protest voter.

Salvatore, Angestellter, Saalfelden, Pinzgau

Bild: Hölzl Roland

"Voting is a duty. Even if you are skeptical and perhaps can't find anyone on the list that you like. But you can make a statement with every vote and use it to protest. That's why it's important to vote," is Lisa from Elixhausen's assessment and request.

Politicians should pull together much more, you don't know each other. I would like to see more commitment to children and animals.

Claudia, Angestellte, Eugendorf, Flachgau

Bild: Tschepp Markus

Despite going to the polls, many people in Salzburg say they don't agree with politics. More so at state and federal level. But that also influences their voting decision when it comes to their own local leader. "I know that we are choosing the mayor this time," explains Sebastian from Annaberg, "but I simply can't stand by and vote for a party that has been involved in several scandals at government level."

Politicians have completely lost my trust since corona. I don't vote, it's no use. Rents are barely affordable.

Stefan, Angestellter, Hallein, Flachgau

Bild: Tschepp Markus

Alfred from Saalfelden is also experiencing a kind of disenchantment with politics: "For better or worse, a mayor is having apartments built so that the town can grow and his salary can increase. Fine, but then you can't completely forget about traffic - it's increasing every day!"

Austria has an influence in the world. I'm definitely going to vote. By voting, we help to make the world a better place.

Armina, Henndorf, Flachgau

Bild: Tschepp Markus

Anja, who is also from Pinzgau, is concerned about large investments in sport: "There are problems with care everywhere. Corona has clearly shown that. Nothing is happening here, but sports facilities are being built because they are so popular."

I have voted for almost all parties at some point. The eternal arguments are unbearable. I don't want to change anything either, I live well.

Herbert, Pensionist Michaelbeuern, Flachgau

Bild: Tschepp Markus

Electoral pride and anger in the land of the suderants
Ingrid from Sankt Michael is annoyed that in "big politics, there is far too much opposition instead of cooperation. I think we appreciate far too little how well off we are." Franz, a pensioner from Upper Austria, eavesdrops on the conversation with a Flachgauer and speaks up: "Please, let's stop - it's not all that bad. We're just a typical country of talkers!"

Michael, a Salzburger from the city, agrees with him. "We should be really proud to be able to vote. You only have to look across the border at other countries. Nowadays, you don't know how long you'll even have the right to vote or whether there will be genuinely free elections."